8 Common Causes Of Heavy Breathing And What To Do To Deal With Them

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You probably notice that your breathing becomes harder when you exercise, run, or climb a flight of stairs. You have to breathe heavier because your body needs more oxygen with exertion. But sometimes, heavy breathing can happen even when you are not moving, and it is a sign that your body has to work more intensively to get enough oxygen.

Heavy breathing can feel like suffocation that makes each breath a struggle. In some cases, it feels like pressure on the chest. At the same time, these sensations can be terrifying and make a person who experiences them panic. But remember that heavy breathing does not always mean serious health problems, and the panic can make it worse. The reasons why it occurs may vary from a stuffed nose to heart conditions.


Here are eight most common causes of heavy breathing and what to do to ease the symptoms.

1. Sinus problems and cold

Viruses and bacteria can cause inflammation in your nasal passages, making it more difficult to draw enough oxygen into your lungs. Cold also increases the amount of mucus that your body produces. Viral infections typically clear up on their own and sinus infections caused by bacteria are often treated with antibiotics.

2. Allergies

Allergies develop when your immune system starts overreacting to normally harmful things around you like pet dander or pollen. These substances make your body produce the chemical, called histamine. The most severe kind of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis that can cause your throat to swell, making it difficult to breathe. If you have an allergy, be careful with the allergens, and if you notice the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, you should go to an emergency room as soon as possible.

3. Anxiety

People with anxiety may have heavy breathing during periods of intense anxiety. The problem is something like a vicious circle: anxiety leads to irregular breathing, and then, irregular breathing causes more anxiety and more irregular breathing. Distinguishing anxiety from cardiovascular conditions can be difficult. If you experience heavy breathing and think it is due to anxiety, try going to a quiet place and taking ten slow deep breaths. If breathing doesn’t return to normal, seek medical attention.

4. Dehydration

Breathing changes can be caused by dehydration when your body fails to provide the cells with the energy they need. People who spend a lot of time in the summer heat, who don’t drink enough water or who drink dehydrating beverages may experience the symptoms of dehydration. To relieve the symptoms, drink a glass of water, breathe deeply and move to a cool place. If your symptoms don’t improve, dehydration could be severe enough to ask for medical attention. Pregnant women and children with the signs of dehydration need immediate medical care.

5. Lung conditions

A problem with the lungs can also cause heavy breathing. The most common causes of heavy breathing related to the lungs include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, and lung infections. Regular monitoring of these conditions can help relieve the symptoms. Lung health problems are usually serious enough to require professional attention.

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6. Cardiovascular issues

Cardiovascular conditions are the leading causes of shortness of breath, especially when it lasts for several days. Heavy breathing develops when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the organs and muscles, so the body responses by breathing heavily and rapidly. People who have history of heart disease or who have risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol levels, should go to an emergency room if they have trouble breathing.

7. Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the inflammation of the airways in your lungs. This swelling makes it more difficult for air to get into the lungs during asthma attacks. Asthma usually manifests in childhood, but it can develop at any age. People who know they have asthma should take medicines daily or during attacks to ease the symptoms.

8. Obesity

Obesity also can be a cause of heavy breathing because extra weight puts pressure on the lungs, and they have to work harder. People with a BMI of 30 and higher may have labored breathing, especially when they exercise. Losing some weight with healthy diet and physical activity is the great way to manage health issues related to obesity.